The Jersey City City Council tonight voted to give nearly $7 million to a city agency to pay an overdue bill, over the objections of a councilman who called the measure “the most irresponsible resolution” he’s seen in his council tenure.

Tonight’s action, approved 7-2, authorizes a $6.8 million payment to the Jersey City Incinerator Authority so the agency can pay overdue bills related to waste disposal.

Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop, who voted against the measure along with Councilman at large Rolando Lavarro, said the move is “appalling.”

“It’s the most irresponsible resolution that I’ve been a part of and seen on this council agenda,” Fulop said. “It is amazing to me that people can sit up here and say they recognize this is wrong … (but) support it anyway.”

Two council members – David Donnelly and Nidia Lopez – voted in favor of the measure despite expressing “reservations.”

The debt will be paid in two equal payments, one next year and one in 2014. Fulop said he believes this will set taxpayers up for a tax increase.

City officials in March first addressed the JCIA’s outstanding debt to Waste Management, a private firm that contracts with the agency to pick up city trash, and the Hudson County Improvement Authority, which disposes of it.

The original tab for both bills was esteemed to be around $7 million. But the $6.8 million approved tonight will go solely toward the HCIA debt.

JCIA Executive Director Oren K. Dabney has said the debt piled up over the course of the last several years because of cuts in city funding.

It is unclear how much more the JCIA owes to the HCIA and Waste Management. In April, the city asked the council to approve borrowing $9 million to pay the debt, but, according to the minutes to the JCIA’s April meeting, Dabney said the debt “far exceeds” $9 million.

Dabney did not return two phone calls requesting clarification and comment.